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LANGKAWI, Malaysia (AP) — King Harald V A Norwegian man remained hospitalized with an infection on the northern Malaysian resort island of Langkawi on Wednesday, and authorities said his condition was improving.
At 87 years old, Harald, Europe’s oldest monarch, fell ill while on vacation. His son, Crown Prince Haakon, said in Norway that his father was “doing better now.” Things seem to be getting better now that I need some rest.”
“The King’s personal doctor is in Langkawi and has confirmed that the King’s infection is improving,” the royal family said in a short statement.
Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gare Stoer said: “When the King falls ill and is hospitalized, whether in Norway or abroad, we are concerned.”
“We should do everything possible to bring the king home as soon as possible and in the best possible health,” he told Norwegian broadcaster NRK.
Malaysian state news agency Bernama reported that Harald was being treated at Langkawi’s Sultana Maliha Hospital. The report cited anonymous sources as saying he was staying in the hospital’s royal suite.
The hospital declined to comment when contacted by The Associated Press. Malaysia’s Ministry of Health has instructed media to wait for a possible announcement.
“The king was in a good mood,” the heir to the throne said, adding that he spoke to his parents by phone on Wednesday.
“Given his age, it’s clear that it’s a good thing to handle this properly. They’re very good at the hospital,” Haakon told Norwegian reporters. “We don’t know when he will return. A decision on that will have to be made later.” The palace said: “A decision has not yet been made regarding his return.”
The Oslo Royal Palace announced on Tuesday that the king had been hospitalized with an infection, but did not provide further details. The Palace said it may issue a statement later on Wednesday.
Two days before his birthday last week, the Norwegian news agency NTB reported that the king was planning a personal trip abroad with his wife Queen Sonja, but did not specify the destination or date.
The king, who has been seen using crutches in recent years, has repeatedly fallen ill in recent months, raising concerns about the head of state’s health. In January, the Palace announced that he was on sick leave until February 2 due to a respiratory infection.
In December, he was hospitalized with an infection and was treated with intravenous antibiotics. She was also hospitalized with a fever in August last year.
Still, Harald has repeatedly said he has no plans to abdicate, unlike his cousin Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, who surprised the Danish public by announcing her abdication in a New Year’s speech. Haakon, 50, has ritually taken over his duties whenever the king has been reported ill.
Oslo Palace told NTB there were no plans to change Mr Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s trip to southern Norway on Wednesday and Thursday.
According to the royal calendar, Harald’s first official post-holiday engagement is scheduled for March 8, when he and Haakon are scheduled to preside over a meeting of the State Council (a monthly meeting with the government) at the Royal Palace in Oslo. There is. At these meetings, new laws are approved by the monarch, signed by the prime minister, and then come into force.
On January 23, Harald said he would uphold the oath he took when he ascended the throne in 1991.
“I always stand by what I say. It will last a lifetime,” he said.
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Jan M. Olsen reported from Copenhagen, Denmark.
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